Egg shortage in the US forces search for European suppliers
US turns to Europe as egg crisis worsens (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The United States has turned to European countries in search of eggs amid a severe shortage and record-high prices caused by a bird flu outbreak, reports AP News.
The US Department of Agriculture has reached out to Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and other EU countries asking for emergency egg supplies. But the challenge lies not in tariffs or politics - it's the fundamentally different food safety regulations. In the US, eggs must be washed and refrigerated. In most of Europe, they are sold unwashed and unrefrigerated to preserve their natural protective coating.
"These are two systems that could not be more different," said Hans-Peter Goldnick, president of the German Egg Association. In Europe, it's not unusual to find feathers or traces of dirt on store-bought eggs. Farmer David Karlsch from Schoeneiche, Germany, said his farm simply collects eggs from the nests and sells them directly or through a vending machine. "The demand at Easter time is of course very, very high - many children naturally want to paint eggs," Karlsch added.
Powdered eggs, smuggling surge, and Brazil to the rescue
Bird flu forces US to seek eggs from overseas (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Due to local outbreaks of bird flu and high domestic demand, many EU countries can't offer large volumes of fresh eggs. "We ourselves essentially have to import eggs from Holland every day to keep everyone satisfied," Goldnick said. "We have around 45 million eggs that we can collect from the chicken coops every day, and in America, there’s a shortage of around 50 million eggs a day. That shows how difficult it is."
Meanwhile, the US has nearly doubled its egg imports from Brazil and is reconsidering its food safety regulations to allow the use of eggs from broiler chickens in food manufacturing. "We need more yolks for folks," said Republican Representative Dusty Johnson, who supports the bill allowing the use of eggs that are currently discarded due to strict refrigeration rules.
As prices climb, egg smuggling across US borders has surged. US Customs and Border Protection reported 3,254 egg seizures in January and February 2025 - a 116% increase compared to the same period last year. Most illegal imports come from Canada and Mexico, where eggs cost significantly less.
"The price difference is the main driver. A dozen eggs cost around $3.93 in Canada, while in the US, it's about $8.50," said CBP spokesperson Roger Maier.
Despite ongoing political tensions and trade barriers, European egg producers are willing to help - if it makes business sense. "If the price is right, then I’ll deliver," Goldnick quoted a fellow farmer. "It concerns the people. It doesn’t concern the government… The need for eggs at Easter is just as important in America as it is here."
Even as prices ease slightly, the approaching holiday season is likely to drive demand - and prices - back up.
